Officials: Illnesses, death shut down cosmetic surgery center

Maryland health officials are investigating a cluster of three severe cases of group A Streptococcus infections in people who recently had liposuction at a cosmetic surgery center in Timonium, and officials said one of the victims died.

Officials at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said the procedures were done at Monarch Med Spa from mid-August to mid-September. Officials said two of the patients have since been released from hospitals, but a third person died.

The DHMH and the Baltimore County Department of Health have closed down the facility so they can try to find the source of the bacterial infection. Officials said the facility has been cooperative.

"Baltimore Laser Solutions, Inc., (doing business as) Monarch Med Spa, has voluntarily agreed to suspend all procedures at its Timonium facility as a precautionary measure pending a definitive epidemiological investigation," said company spokeswoman Laura Feragen.

She added, "Monarch's primary concern is for the safety and well-being of all of our patients, and we extend our deepest sympathy to deceased patient's family. Our company and its staff are fully cooperating with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in every possible way. Monarch has been in business for eight years and has successfully performed thousands of complication-free surgical procedures performed by licensed health professionals. The suspected infections are a new development and their possible origins are being closely and carefully investigated."

Dr. Michael Cohen, the founder and medical director of the Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland, said there's no such thing as a minor surgery, which is why it's so important for patients to do their homework.

"Checking out the credentials of the facility and the practitioners is probably the most important thing you can do," he said.

Anyone who had any procedure done at Monarch Med Spa recently and has concerns should call their doctor and notify the local health department. Symptoms of group A Streptococcus include fever or flu-like symptoms, redness at the wound site, severe pain and swelling and progressive dizziness, weakness and confusion.

Health experts said the bacteria is often found in the throat and on the skin, and it's spread through direct contact with mucus or open wounds.

Officials said most GAS infections are relatively mild; however, occasionally the bacteria can cause severe and life-threatening diseases when it infects parts of the body where bacteria isn't usually found, such as the blood, muscle or the lungs.

Cosmetic surgery centers in Maryland are not currently required to be licensed by the state. In the future, the DHMH said it will seek public comment on potential approaches to oversight of these facilities.

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